Combination heat transfer applicator and massager



March 22, 1960 c, O'GARA 2,929,374

' ER APPLICATQR AND MASSAGER COMBINATION HEAT TRANSF Filed Oct. 10, 1957 United States Patent COMBINATION HEAT TRANSFER APPL ICATOR AND MASSAGER Francis C. OGara, Chicago, Ill., assignor of thirty-three and one-third percent to Frank Pasko, Chicago, Ill.

Application October 10, 1957, Serial No. 689,296 3 Claims; (Cl. 128-241) This invention relates generally to portable devices for superficially treating parts of the human body for therapeutic purposes and more particularly, relates to a novel structure for a device of the character described which may be used both for affecting transfer of heat between the device and part of the body treated and for massaging benefits.

It is well recognized that heat transfer between parts of the human bodyand a source of higher or lower temperature achieves therapeutic benefits in connection with a large variety of conditions. The same is true of massaging techniques in connection with soft parts of the body to relieve pain and discomfort and increase circulation of blood to the treated area. Hot and cold applications are common medical treatments for assu'aging pain, reducing swelling and relieving fatigue of parts of the body, such .as arms, eyes, and others. These techniques are Widely utilized in beauty salons, gymnasiums and like establishments for relieving fatigue, tightening of skin over facial areas, and toning up muscles and skin tissue. 7

The benefits of such heat transfer and/or massaging techniques are desirable to achieve especially in Qconnection with certain intimate parts of the human body not a chemical refrigerant and novel removable closure means for sealing the inlet against leakage of the con'- tents of the device during manipulaton thereof.

Other objects of the inventioninclude the provision of a device of the character described which is very economical to manufacture, which can be used conveniently, safely, and expertly even by medically inexperienced persons and which is sturdy and sanitary. u

The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds, in

connection with which a preferred embodiment has been described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing. Such compliance with the patent laws has necessitated specific reference and illiistratioii to-struc't'ure of the device embodying the i :1- tion and hence, it is contemplated that minor var'iatioiis in such structure may occur to the skilled artisan without departing from the broad principles or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the combination applicator and massager embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the said'device."

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken through the device along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and in the general direction indicated,

Fig. 4is a sectional view taken through the'eie's'ure means provided for the said device along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 and in the direction indicated generally- I h Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the hollow body to show one manner of forming said 1161 low body from a pair of conjoined body segments.

readily accessible for self-treatment. For instance, fpregcomfort may be temporarily relieved by applying heat or Referring now to the drawing, the reference character 10 designates generally the device embodying the invention. Same includes a hollow body or vessel 12 having a throat formation 14 providing an inlet or mouth'lfi into the interior of the vessel. The novel closure means 18 is removably seated across the inlet or mouth 16 for sealing the vessel during use thereof. .There is provided a handle 20 of theirnal insulative material, such as wood orplastic, secured to the throat formation by means of which the device is manipulated.

massaging. These intimate portions of the human body may be constricted in area so that soothing contact thereith in order to massage or heat or cool the same is difficult.

Accordingly, it is a principal object or the invention to provide a portable device for affecting transfer of heat between the device and selected parts of the body and for massaging such parts which by reason of its novel 'construction is capable of achieving the desirable advantages mentioned above.

I Another object of the invention is topr'ovide a portable device of the character described which may be employed successfully safely in self-treatment of parts of the body or by another person without requiring any special skill or training. I Another object of the invention is toprovide a portable heat or cold applicator of the character described which is capable of simultaneous use as a mas'sager.

A further object of the invention'is to provide a device of the character described which comprises a hollow preshaped body or vessel formed of a highly thermal conductive material and provided with advantageously curved and elongated portions so that the device may be brought into intimate contact with ordinarily nonaccessible or not conveniently accessible parts of the body.

Vessel 12 and formation 14 preferably are refineries a thermally conductive metal, such as aluminum-which also contributes to a light-weight, highly protable implemen't. Also, aluminum is easily and readily shaped to achieve the predetermined configuration for the vessel 12. I

The configuration of the vessel 12 is very important since the vessel is enabled therebyto be employed for substantially universal superficial treatment of external areas of the human body. The vessel 12 has a modified pear-shaped configuration of which one end 22 is highly rounded or substantially hemispherical. The end 22 is continued forwardly into a tapered or nose-like formation 24, the extremity 26 of which is relatively narrow and rounded. The bottom surface 28 of the vessel is moderately curved concavely from end 22 to extremity 26 with the deepest part of the concave surface 28 being located approximately in the medial portion of the tapered formation 24. The upper surface 30 of said noselike extension as likewise is curved and sloping upwardly from end 26, and said extension 24- has substantially parallel, vertically arranged side walls '32 which connect with surfaces 28 and 30 along curved junctures respectively. Thus, the vessel 12 is smooth and/or. rounded on all surfaces thereof and presents no sharp cornersor protuberances. i 1

The end or segment 22 of the device bulges outwardly and is continued upwardly to join with the throat forms tion 1.4 on the upper end of said segment 22. As illus- 3 trated in Fig. 4, the formation 14 is cylindrical in formation and has a central passageway therethrough, the surfaces 36 of which are smooth. The inlet or mouth 16 is situated at-the entrance to formation 14. The upper surface 30 of said extension 24 tapers downwardy at a steep angle from the formation 14 to the extremity 26. Referring to Fig. 4, the closure means 18 may be seen to comprise a cap which includes an annular disc 38 the diameter of which is greater than the outer diameter of formation14. Along the lateral surfaces of said disc are provided spaced apart recesses or grooves 40 which function as hand grips for the closure. Depending from disc 38 is a solid annular boss or island-like extension 42 Ithe diameter of which is less than the inner diameter 'of the passageway through throat 14 and substantially Iequal'in lengthto the length of said throat. Adjacent :the bottom end 43 of said boss 42 is provided an annular groove 44 in which is seated a circular gasket 46 capable fof'achievmg asealing connection between boss 42 and surfaces 36 when the cap is installed.

Gasket 46 is formed from naturalor synthetic rubber 7 or other suitable 'gasketing material as a ring member of substantially channel-shaped cross section. The connecting web 48-of the gasket is securely seated against 'the'bottom surface of groove 44. The parallel legs 50 are flexible and protrude outwardly of the groove 44 into a pressfit against surfaces 36 when the closure 18 is ini'stalled; As seen in Fig. 4, the gasket 46 functions to provide a'double seal by virtue of the legs 50 engaging surface 36 to prevent leakage and spilling of the contents of vessel 12. Installation of the gasket 46 is readily accomplished merely by stretching same over end 43 and snapping same in place in groove 44. It is contemplated that the annular surface 36 may be modified to provide for seating of gasket 44 and have the protruding, flexible legs or lips arranged to engage the annular surface of the boss 42 when the cap 18 is introduced into the "throat 14. Likewise, the gasket may be formed with fmore or less than two legs, although two such legs 50 T have been found adequate.

It is contemplated that the device 10 may be made in any one of a variety of ways conducive to mass'production thereof. Shown in Fig. is one manner contem plated for making the device. Vessel 12 and formation 14 are formed from a pair of stampings each of which. "is suitably shaped to provide one-half of the vessel 12 and formation 14. Considering-a vertical plane passing through the ends 22 and 26 along a medial longitudinal line of the device, the half of the vessel and formation 14 on opposite sides of the plane would comprise the "shape and size of such a stamping. stampings are identified by numerals '59 and '60 respec- The suggested tively in Fig. 5 and when conjoined alongfmatingly arranged edges 61 and 62 respectively by welding, as indicated at 63, the entire device is completed. The line ofjuncture between stampings 59 and 60 may then be smoothed and the exterior surfaces of the device bulfed and polished to achieve an attractive finish.

The handle 20 may be attached in many different Ways. I have provided the handle 20 with an enlarged segment 51 at its inner end to the lateral surfaces of which are secured, as by fasteners 52, the separated ends 54 of a metal strap 56. The strap 56 is formed as a loop with the bight of the loop tightly engaged around the throat formation 14. The formation 14 may be provided with an annular seat 58 seenin Fig. 4 in'which the bight of loop 56 is accommodated.

The device is used byfilling same with a heated liquid such as water or a refrigerant and sealing same by installing closure 18. Held by insulating handle 20, the device is easily manipulated. Where filled with a heated. liquid, a protective boot may be slipped over the vessel 12 to prevent burns or discomfort. The nose section '24 with its tapered extremity 26 is easily and conveniently applied to such areas of the human body as the entrance to the ear, the rounded surfaces between the eye and bridge of the nose, the nasal passages and genital parts. The flat curved surface 28 is easily conformed to other parts of the body, such as the abdomen and chest. The surface is conveniently applied to armpits, crotch areas, and opposite surfaces of the elbow and knee. In all cases, the variant curvatures and tapered sections of the device are individually suitable to enable substantially universal treatment of exterior areas of the human body with the device 10. At the same time, the device may be reciprocated to realize massaging benefits, which benefits can be realized even without the vessel being filled. 1

Heat transfer is highly effective and rapid because of the thermally conductive metal from which the device is made. Also, the device retains its heat transfer properties over periods of time substantially greater than is realized with conventional ice bags, for instance, formed of cloth. The device is easily washed and cleansed before each use thereof thereby'being more sanitary. 'It is believed the invention hasbeen described in sufficient detail to enable understanding thereof and the manner in which same is to be practiced. The principles of the invention have been embodied in the claims hereto appended in language which it is desired be broadly construed commensurate with the improvement in the arts and sciences contributed by the invention.

What it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A portable applicator and massage device of the ,character described comprising, a hollow vessel formed ,of a thermal conducting metal material and having an inlet thereinto, removable closure means seated across the inlet to seal the vessel against leakage of liquid contents thereof, a thermally insulative handle secured to the vessel for manipulating same, said vessel having a modified, substantially pear-shaped configuration including a sharply tapered, nose-like extension at one end ,thereof, the bottom surface of said vessel being substantially fiat and concavely curved inwardly along the length thereof, the extremity of said tapered extension being rounded, said vessel having an annular upstanding 2. A portable application and massage device of the character described comprising, a hollow vessel formed of a thermal conducting metal material and having an inlet thereinto, removable closure means seated across the inlet to seal the vessel against leakage of liquid contents thereof, a thermally insulative handle secured to the vessel for manipulating'same, said vessel having a modified, substantially pear shaped configuration including a sharply tapered, nose-like extension at one end thereof, the

bottomsurface of said vessel being substantially fiat and concavely curved inwardly along the length thereof, the

extremity (if said tapered extension being rounded, said vessel having an annular upstanding throat formation containing said inlet, the annular interior surface of said formation being smooth over substantially the entire area thereof, and said closure means comprising a cap member having an island-like depending formation telescopically engaged in said throat formation through said inlet, gasket "means arranged between said depending formationand said interior surface to effect said seal, said depending formation and inlet being complementary in configuration albeit, said depending formation being smaller in size, said gasket means comprising a channel-shaped ring member supported on the depending formation, the spaced apart legs of the ring member protruding outwardly into engagement with said annular interior surface.

3. A portable applicator and massage device of the character described comprising, a hollow vessel formed of a thermal conducting metal material and having an inlet thereinto, removable closure means seated across the inlet to seal the vessel against leakage of liquid contents thereof, a thermally insulative handle secured to the vessel for manipulating same, said vessel having a modified, substantially pear-shaped configuration including a sharply tapered, nose-like extension at one end thereof, the bottom surface of said vessel being substantially flat and concavely curved inwardly along the length thereof, the extremity of said tapered extension being rounded, said vessel having an annular upstanding throat formation containing said inlet, the annular interior surface of said formation being smooth, said closure means comprising a cap member having an extension adapted to be telescopically engaged in said throat formation, gasket means arranged between said extension and interior surface of said formation effecting said seal, said cap member extension and interior surface being spaced apart, said cap member extension having an annular seat for accommodating the gasket means therein, said gasket means having protruding, resilient lips extending across the space entirely around said cap member extension to engage against said smooth annular surface to effect said seal, said vessel comprising a pair of conjoined mating halfshell members having abutting peripheral edges, said shells being substantially symmetrical with respect to a medial longitudinal plane taken vertically through the device.

References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,747,591 Moore Feb. 18, 1930 1,859,614 Boever May 24, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS 299,913 Great Britain Nov. 5, 1928 336,165 Great Britain Oct. 9, 1930 

